Again...

We find ourselves, once again, trying to make sense for our Irish friends and acquaintances of the latest tragedy and the outrageous atrocity committed by a madman with an easily obtained gun.  Was it about homosexuality, or radical violent Islamism, or just nihilism.  Is it simply because we allow our citizens to buy military-quality weapons - weapons that have no legitimate use in self-protection or hunting.  Are there truly people, as they state so loudly, that think that these weapons will protect them from an authoritarian government wanting to take away their rights?  Do they think these assault weapons will protect them from tanks, drones, smart bombs?

The NRA wants no limitations, claiming that sensible regulation of weapons - banning assault weapons, having smart technology that renders guns worthless when they've been stolen or in the hands of children, limiting the size of ammo clips and the power of bullets - would constitute a slippery slope toward the banning of all guns.  Twenty-six tender innocents at Sandy Hook, over one hundred peace-abiding people at the Pulse Nightclub, and so many many more.  It is our great national shame.  And it continues only because of our great national obsession - the generation of profits.  Shame on us.